GB2336665A

GB2336665A - Door

Info

Publication number: GB2336665A
Application number: GB9808437A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peris Wyn Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-21
Filing date: 1998-04-21
Publication date: 1999-10-27
Also published as: GB9808437D0

Abstract

A door 1 particularly designed for use in a domestic oven comprises a first panel 2 and a second panel 4 in spaced, substantially parallel relation to the first panel 2, there being connected to the first panel 2 one or more supports 8 to hold the second panel 4, said one or more supports 8 consisting of folded rigid sheet material. The support(s) 8 may include engagement surfaces 22, 24 for engaging opposite faces of the second panel 4. The support 8 may include two side portions 10 and two crosspieces 12, 14. The support 8 may be connected to the first panel 2, by use of an upper screw extending through an aperture in the support 8 (see Fig 4a), and a lower screw engaging a bracket adhered to the first panel (see Fig 4b). The panels 2, 4 may be of toughened glass.

Description

1 Door 2336665 The present invention relates to doors, particularly but

not necessarily to doors for use with domestic ovens.

Known types of domestic oven door include an outer glass panel, which form a front face of the door, separated from an inner glass panel by extruded metal supports. The supports are located at or near edges of the panels and can include pivot rods for hinge attaclunent of the door to an oven. Between the panels is an air gap, through which cool air (e.g. at room temperaLure) may be passed to cool the front face of the door.

Such dQors have been found to perform well. However, they suffer from the disadvantage that heavy arid expensive dedicated tooling is required to manufacture them. Such tooling is particulari.y required lo produce the extruded metal supports. This adds to the expense of manufacture of such doors, and also inhibits the abil!Ly of a manufacturer to change the design of their doors at will.

An ain of the present invention is to provide a dear which overcomes or ameliorates these disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a door having a f i rst panel and a second panel in spaced, generally parallel. relation to the first panel, there being connected to the first panel one or more supports which hold the second panel, the or each support being formed from folde(I.S eet metal.

2 As will be recognised, Lhe tooling required to manufacture an item from folded sheet metal is Lypically readily configurable to accommodaLe different designs of item. The result of this is that initial investment in seLting up the toolinq is relatively low, and that design changes can be implemented with relatively little capital investment.

Typically, the sheet. material is metal, and most typically steel. co is Generally, the second panel will in use be an iiLner panel of the door. For example, the:second panel may face into arl oven cavity with the door in a rInsed position.

At least one of the panels may be made of toughened glass or other heatresistant translucent or transparent materials. This arrangement permits visioD through the door without the need to open it.

The or each support may conveniently be manuúactured by producing a flat blank from sheet material (e.g. by cuLLing, for example with a la%c,. or by punching, for example wiLh a turret punch) and then foldinq the blank, (e.g. with a press brake). Accordingly, the support (s) may be manufactured using confiqurable tools, in contrast to Lhe known extruded supports, which require dedicated extrusion heads, greatly reducing the tooling costs when compared with prior art doors.

in its folded configuration, Lhe or each support preferably includes overlappinq portions of the sheet material, which are fixed to each othcr. This provides 3 extra rigidity to the support. T4wc- over] apping portions may be fixed by any convenient means and preferabLY by welding, further preferably in an automated process.

Preferably the or each support includes engagement surfaces for engaging opposite major Laces of the second panel. The engagement 5urfaces may be mutually opposed.

For example, they may be opposite walls of channels into which a portion of the second pariel is inserted.

1.0 Alternatively, in embodiments where the second panel is of sufficient stiffness, the surface3 may be offset from one another.

A preferred embodiment has first- engagement surfaces 15 for eilgaging one major face of the second panel near 0 _ opposite edges and a second engagement surtace for enqaqing the other major face of the second panel inlermediate said opposite edges.

The door preferably has restraining means for preventing the second panel from sliding downwards Out of the supports when the door is in an upright positioD for Use. This may be achieved by engagement surfaces, suitably spaced to grip the second panel firmly.

Alternatively, the door may be provided with a lip on which the bottom edge of the second panel may rest. Such a lip may for example be integral with the fiz:.%L panel.

attached to the f irst pariel or may be provided (in a support. As a further alternative, the or a supporl may include a channel for engaging labottom, surface of the second panel, an end wall of the channel pruviding a surface for supporting Lhe bottoin surface of the panel.

The second panel is preferably removable from the supports, for example for clewiing or replacement. The panel may for example be removed by sliding it from the door out of the supports, preferably towards the edge which is uppermost when the door is in an upright position in use. Alternatively, the second panel may be slid sideways for removal. co Preferably the door has restraining means for preventing the second panel from moving sideways andlor upwards relative to the first panel when the door is moved (Lliese directions being defined for when the door is in an upright position). Such means may be as described above for preventinq downwards movement. Clearly certain combinations of restraining means are. , incompatible with (opLional) removability of the second panel in particular directions.

The door is preferably provided with a handle. Such a handle is typIcally attached to the first panel by any convenient means, such as ail adhesive. In a favoured embodiment the handle is attached at opposite end portions to the first panel. The handle may be attached by means of screws which pass through bushes EILLed into holes in the panel to engage cooperating screw threads in the handle.

The support(s) may be attached to the first panel by any convenient means. A favoured means of attachment is adhesinn, particularly by adhesives which can accommodate shear force caused by differential expansion of the stipport and paile.l. In embodiments having a handle attached to the first panel by screw members# another -favoured means of attaching the support to the first panel is via the said screw members, e.g. by means of eel!so- screws which engage cooperating screw 1.hreads in Lhe shaf ts of the screw Tnembers. Other f avoured reans include attachment via an intermediate piece or pieces, e.q. a bracket.

A door embodying tbi.s invention preferably has a single support, thereby minimising Lile complexity of assembling the door. Desirably, such a supporL includes side portions bearing engagement surfaces, linked by a crosspiece nr crosspieces. The side portions may bear all the enqagement surfaces. Ail embodiment of the lastpreceding sentence may, for example, include channels, side and end surfaces of which constiLute engagement surfaces. Preferably, however, Lhe side porlions bear engagement surfaces for engaging a single major face or Lhe second panel and the or each crosspiece bears an engagement surface or surface:3 for engaging the other major face intermediate the side portions.

When present, the or each crosspiece is preferably thinner, in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the first panel. than the distance defining the separation of the panels. This feature allows airflow in a direction perpendicular Lo the cros.spiece(s). Other suitable embodiments of the door may have apertures in supports which would otherwise pore"vent airflow.

One or more screens may be provided for restri(-.Linq entry of extraneous materials (in particular, drops of liquid e.g. fat or condensation) inLo the space beLween the panels. If desired, one or more screens may also obstrucL a. lateral view into the space between the panels.

6 At least otle support may contact a single major f ace of tile first panel. This is DF!?ferred for aesthetic reasons. Alternatively, the support may include or be connected to a frame, which contacts the edge andlor second major face of the first panel.

The supports may include mcails for supporting a third panel or further panels, in spacedgenerally parallel relation to Lhe other panels, e.g. for greater strength or thermal. insulalion.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an ovenj preferably a domestic oven, fitted with a door or doors according to the present invention.

An embodiment of the door will now be described, by way of example, by reference-to the accompanying drawingb, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the back of a door being one embodiment of the present inventinn; Figure 2 is a Section in plane A through the door of f igure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the door of figure 2; Figure 4 shows the attachment.s of a support to in Lirst panel of the door of figures 1 Lo 3, figure 4a 30 showing Lhe top attachment and figure 4b the bottum; and 00- Figure 5 shows a blank from which a.support for use in the door of f igures 1 to 1 may be made, i.e. a blank according to the third aspect of the inveilLion (dashed i 1 7 ines represent intended fold lines).

A second panel is not shown in f i gure 1 in the, interesL of clarity. in the figure, dashed lities represent folded edges of a support of the door.

A door 1 has first and second pailels 2,4, made of toughened glass, which form outer and inner panels respectively of an oven door. A curved metal tube is attached near each end to the first panel to form a handle 6 for the door, by attachments, as shown in i,'!(gure 4. As shown in figure 4a, each attachment of the handle to the door includes a bush 52, which fits tigtiLly iriLo a hole 53 in the first panel. 2, and a screw member 54, which passes through the bush and engages a cooperating screw thread at 56 in the handle 6.

As. shown in f igure 1, an open rectangular support 8 has two side portions 1.0 form.ing two of its opposite sides and two crosspieces 12. 14 forming the others of its sides. These side portions and crosspieces frame a gap aL 15 in the middle of the rOCtangle. The support is Eormed from a sinq1e folded sheet of metal. Rowever, in alternative embodiments,, the supporL could for example be formed frnm more sheets or lack the crosspieces.

The support is attached to the first panel near each end of each side portion 10. Shown in f igure 4a, the -attachment at the top end (111al is Lo say, Lhe end uppermost when the door is attached to an oven and in a closed position) is by means of a screw 58 passinq through an aperture 16 in the support 8 and engaging an irwardly directed screw thread at 60 in the shaúL of the screw member 54. Shown In figuTe 4b, the attachment at 0 Ck- 8 the bottom end is by means of a screw passing 62 through another aperture 64 in, the support and engaging a bracket. 66 which is adhered at 60 to the first panel 2.

A conventional hinge (not shown) is attached to each side portion and to the first panel. An arm (nnt shown) of each Ilinge protrudes from a further aperture 18 in each side portion of Lhe nupport for attactiment to an oven to which the door is to be fitted, so as to allow opening of the door substantially by pivoting about its bottarn edge. Alternative embodinteriLs may for example have means, e.g. pivot rods borne by the side portions, for connecting the door to al?-oven so as to open sideways.

The support is corlúigured, as will he described later, to hold Lhe second panel 4 firmly in spaced, general ly-paral 1 e 1. relation to the first panel 2. Tb e second panel is removable from the door by sliding past the tops of the side portions, in the direction of the arrow in figure 2.

As shown in figures 2 and 3. the crosspieces 12, 14 of the support are configured to allow air passage between the panels Jn a direction parallel to the side port-ic3lls. Optionally, however, a screen 20 (shown in dashed lines in figure 2) may ksa-provided near to, but separated from, either or botb crosspieces, to hinder entry of fat or liquid into the space between the panels, whilst.- allowing air flow around the screen and crosspiece.

Fach side portion provides a surface 22 parallel to and- facing the first panel, and the top croshplece 14 9 provides a surface 24 parallel to and facing away from LI1E. first.. panel, int.ermediale the side portions. The surfaces 22 and 24 are therefore parallel to each other and are closely spaced so that ttm second panel may be inserted between them and held firmly in place, the surfaces 22 engaging one major face of the second panel near opposite edges and the surface 24 engaging the other major face, intermediate those opposite edges and near the top edge 25 of the panel. The bottom crosspiece provides a lip 26 which supports the bottom edge 28 of Lhe secoild panel, Lhereby preventing it froin sliding downwards out of the support when vertical.

A blank 100 for the support is shown in figure 5.

A U-shaped region 102 (referred to as "the U") lies in the centre of the blank. Side and bottom flaps 108, 110 are continuous with the two arms 104 and base106 respectively of the U. The bl,3uJc may be folded along lines 111, 111a so that: the side and bottorn flaps 108, 110 meet to form bottom corners 30 of the support; the side flaps 108 and arms 104 of the U form the side portions 10 of the support; and the bottom flap 110 wid base 106 of the U form the bottom crosspiece 12,, the.

bottom flap 110 providing the lip 26 of the support.

7.9 Small Lahs 112 are provided at the ends of the bottom flap 110, and may be attached to the side flaps for stability.

I'he hottom flap has a portion cat out (at 114) from the major edge 115 opposite the "U", so that the bottom crosspiece 12 is spaced frox the first panel when the support is attached thereto. 00- Continuous with the top edge 1,16 of each arm 104 of 1.0 the U is a linker Piece 118. The two linker Pieces are continuous with a singl e top flap 120, which i s perpendicular to the arms 104 and bridge.,5 Lhe U. The top flap has tabs 122 at each end as described for the b(.)Ltom flap. The linker pieces 118 extend across the Lops 116 of the arms 104 for only about Lhe outer hal f' of the width of the arms, so that a sinall, qap 124 exists between the inner half of the top 116 of each arm and the top flap 120. The liker pieces 1180"rve Lo space the top f lap fror the arms of the U.

The top flap has a cut out (aL 1.26), like that- in the bottom flap, from a major edge opposite the 17. A tongue 129 protrudes from an intermediate part of the major edge nearest the U, into Llie space between the arms of the U.

The blank may be folded along lines 130, 130a (i.e. between the arms 104 of the U and the linker pieces 118 and between the top flap 120 and the tongue 128, respectively), so that: the side and top flaps 106, 120 meet to form top corners 32 of the support; Lhe top flap and tongue 120, 128 form the top,,rrosspiece 14; and the spacing effect of the linker pieces causes the tongue to be in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane of the U. Thus the arms of the U provide surfaces 22 arid the tongue surface 24 of the support.

The cut outs provide gaps in the crosspieces, L;o that air may flow between the patiels when the support. is attached to the hrst panel and the second panel fitted.

The U has apertures 16, 18 for attachment of the support to the first panel and apertures 64 through which 00- 11 5._ arms of hinges protrude, as described previou:sly- The duly folded blank is attached to the firtsl panel as described above and the second panel may be inserted from the top, between the arms 104 of the U and the tongue 128, until it abuts the bottom flap 110.

The U and the tongue are suitably spaced to grip the second panel. firmly, so that it canrot move easily úrom sJ do. to side, nor shoot out of the lap of the support if the duor is opened suddenly.

As will be evident from the description of t.fie folded support, the hinges are (a41y partially enclosed, by the first panel and the side portions 10 of the support. optionally, shields (not shown) may be provided, in planes parallel to Lite folded side flaps 108, to enclase the hinges, protecting them from ingress of fat etc.

00- 11-

Claims

1. A door having a first panel and a second panel in spaced, substantially parallel relation to the first panel, there being connected to the first panel one or more supports which hold the second panel, the or each support being formed from folded sheet material.

2. A door according to claim 1, wherein the second 10 panel is an inner panel of the door.

3. A door according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each support includes overlapping portions of the sheet material, which are fixed to each other.

< 1. G 1: c c 1 1

4. A door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the or each support includes engagement surfaces for engaging opposite major faces of the second panel.

5. A door according to claim 4, wherein the engagement surfaces are mutually opposed.

6. A door according to claim 4, wherein the engagement surfaces are offset from one another.

7. A door according to claim 4, wherein said engagement surfaces comprise a first engagement surface for engaging one major face of the second panel near opposite edges and a second engagement surface for engaging the other major face of the second panel intermediate said opposite edges.

IS

8. A door according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising restraining means for preventing the second panel from sliding downwards out of the supports when the door is in an upright position for use.

9. A door according to claim 8, wherein the restraining means comprise engagement surfaces suitably spaced to firmly grip the second panel.

10. A door according to claim 8, wherein the restraining means comprise a lip provided on the door on which the bottom edge of the second panel may rest.

11. A door according to claim 8, wherein the restraining means comprise a channel provided on the or a said support for engaging a bottom surface of the second panel, an end wall of the channel providing a surface for supporting the bottom surface of the panel.

12. A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second panel is removable from the support(s).

13. A door according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising restraining means for preventing the second panel from moving sideways and/or upwards relative to the first panel when the door is moved (these directions being defined for when the door is in an upright position).

14. A door according to any one of the preceding claims, having a single said support which includes side portions 1, bearing engagement surfaces, linked by a crosspiece or crosspieces.

15. A door according to claim 14, wherein the side portions bear engagement surfaces for engaging a single major face of the second panel and the or each crosspiece bears an engagement surface or surfaces for engaging the other major face intermediate the side portions.

16. A door according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the or each crosspiece is thinner, in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the first panel, than the distance defining the separation of the panels.

is

17. A door according to any one of the preceding claims, further including one or more screens for restricting entry of extraneous material into the space between the panels.

18. A door according to claim 17, further including one or more screens to obstruct a lateral view into the space between the panels.

19. A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one support contacts a single major face of the first panel.

20. A door according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the support includes or is connected to a frame which contacts the edge and/or second major face of the first panel.

IS

21. A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support or supports include means for supporting a third panel or further panels, in spaced generally parallel relation to the other panels.

22. A door according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet material is metal.

23. A door according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the panels is made of heatresistant translucent or transparent material.

24. An oven fitted with one or more doors according to any preceding claim.

L cl 1 1 1 is

25. A door, or an oven including it, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.